Death brinkmanship patients lockdown

“The Minister for Justice Mr Hazistergos has been finally called to order by patients in the Long Bay Prison Hospital. After his unmet promise to Parliament on November 12 that no forensic patients would remain locked down in his prison hospital after November 28, the first protest has occurred” said JA spokesperson Brett Collins.

“One patient has refused heart medication until they are moved to the Health Department’s Forensic Hospital. The patient said yesterday: ‘Death is better than 18 hours solitary confinement driving us mad’. Nurses warned him that he was risking his life to not take the 7 different tablets each day. The Iranian Ambassador and Consul General met with the patient on Friday afternoon and have asked for an explanation from Premier Nathan Rees and the Prime Minister. This is a breach of government responsibility” said Mr Collins.

“The Labor Government spent $130 million dollars on two new hospitals. It has managed the new facilities so badly that the patients have been locked in solitary confinement from 3.30 in the afternoon instead of 9pm since April 2, to cut costs. The total mental health community including Australia’s peak bodies, leading psychiatrists, and nurses have said that this seclusion is causing mental illness for already sick patients” said Mr Collins.

“In an Urgency Motion 12/11 in the Legislative Council all parties including the Shooters Party and Christian Democrats forced the Government to explain itself. The Minister abused and threatened those questioning his decisions, but assured them that the situation would end on November 28. (transcripts see JA website) But the patients remain locked down” said Mr Collins.

Prison officers are meeting with the Corrective Services this morning. They have protested at the loss of their 28 positions.

Contact: Brett Collins 0438 705003

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